Three baseline countries (BRA, DOM, GLP) did not complete the assessment. These 3 countries were not counted towards the overall indicator assessment.
PASB Comments
The countries of the Region have made great efforts to incorporate the vaccine into their national vaccination schedules; as of December 31, 2023, only 4 countries had not introduced the HPV vaccine. 26 countries in the Region are vaccinating children and 12 countries have switched to a single-dose schedule.
There was no consensus on the assessment results for 3 target countries (BMU, BON, KNA). In addition, 1 baseline country (BRA) and 5 target country (DOM, GUF, MTQ, GLP, CUW) did not complete the assessment. These 9 countries were not counted towards the overall indicator assessment.
PASB Comments
The number of countries that have generated and produced analytical health reports which include disaggregated data on a regular basis has increased from 5 to 17. Additionally, countries are increasingly making these reports and other health data and information more accessible both internally and externally. Improved national health information systems and advances in digital transformation have led to increased data demand and utilization. Such data increasingly include the social determinants of health and allow countries to monitor progress and gaps. PASB provided technical cooperation through ongoing capacity-building efforts in health analysis, particularly for monitoring SDG3 indicators among interdisciplinary country teams at national and subnational levels. This has been crucial to the progress achieved for OCM 21.b. An additional 13 countries are on track to achieve this indicator.
No agreement was reached for three countries and territories. PASB assessed that the criteria as detailed on the technical note for the indicator were not met, and no documentation was submitted or otherwise available at the time of the assessment.
Seven baseline countries (BON, BRA, CUW, DOM, GLP, GUF, MTQ) did not complete the assessment. These 7 countries were not counted towards the overall indicator assessment.
PASB Comments
In the 2022-23 biennium, progress was made toward strengthening country capacity for all-hazards health emergency and disaster risk management. As of the latest assessment, 22 countries fully meet or exceed minimum capacities to manage public health risk associated with emergencies, with another 15 on track to do so. PASB's technical support, including the development of assessment tools and coordinator meetings, remains essential for achieving the 2025 target of 37 countries. Continuous monitoring and emphasis on gender-sensitive disaster preparedness, supported by tools such as the Preparedness Index for Health Emergencies and Disasters and the monitoring survey for the Plan of Action on Disaster Risk Reduction, are critical for maintaining and building on the progress made.
Eight target countries (BRA, CAN, CUW, DOM, GLP, GUF, MTQ, PRI) did not complete the assessment. These 8 countries were not counted towards the overall indicator assessment.
PASB Comments
The majority of countries and territories express satisfaction with PAHO/WHO's leading role on global and regional health issues, indicating that the Organization’s efforts and initiatives are generally perceived positively across the region. This widespread satisfaction underscores PAHO/WHO's role as a leading public health authority, engaging countries and territories in the regional and global public health agenda at the highest level – politically, strategically, and technically. Efforts will continue to ensure alignment between biennial work plans and the priorities indicated by national health authorities. This commitment involves ongoing coordination and collaboration with national health authorities to tailor PAHO/WHO's biennial work plans to address the specific health challenges and priorities identified by each country.
There was no consensus on the assessment results for 1 baseline country (BHS). In addition, 1 baseline country (DOM) and 5 target countries (BRA, CUW, GLP, GUF, MTQ) did not complete the assessment. These 7 countries were not counted towards the overall indicator assessment.
Two baseline countries (BRA, DOM) did not complete the assessment. These 2 countries were not counted towards the overall indicator assessment.
PASB Comments
In the 2022-2023 biennium, significant strides were made in health sector risk management, with 23 countries conducting national and/or subnational risk assessments to update their response plans. PASB supported this by implementing the "Emergency Risk Management in Health and Disasters" virtual course. This course trained 1,466 healthcare professionals, including 17 facilitators, on risk assessments, preparedness evaluation, and multi-threat response planning using methodologies like STAR, EDHPI, and the Multi-Threat Response Framework.
Two baseline countries (BRA, DOM) did not complete the assessment. These 2 countries were not counted towards the overall indicator assessment.
PASB Comments
Significant progress was made in the 2022-2023 biennium; 37 countries have full-time personnel dedicated to health emergencies. Training played a crucial role, with 5,682 health professionals certified in Health Facility Assessment, totaling 14 767 certified individuals. Additionally, the “Emergency Risk Management in Health and Disasters” virtual course trained 1,466 health professionals, including 17 facilitator trainers.
One baseline country (DOM) and one target country (BRA) did not complete the assessment. These 2 countries were not counted towards the overall indicator assessment.
PASB Comments
In the 2022-2023 biennium, progress was made in enhancing the resilience and safety of healthcare facilities across the Caribbean and South America through the Resilient Hospitals Initiative. This initiative focused on the strengthening of SMART Hospitals to fortify health facilities against health emergencies and disasters, which 24 countries have launched, promoting safety, sustainability, inclusivity, and adaptability within health facilities. Technical support was instrumental in helping Caribbean countries integrate SMART standards, with notable achievements such as the evaluation of 10 facilities for A70 standards in Barbados and the modernization of eight health centers in Belize. Continuous efforts in monitoring, resource allocation, and addressing data gaps remain essential if the 2025 targets for safe and resilient healthcare infrastructure are to be met.
Three additional countries achieved this indicator during the biennium. The indicator measures country progress toward mainstreaming disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation/mitigation in the health sector.
In the 2022-1023 biennium, 17 countries included the criteria for disaster mitigation and climate change adaptation under the SMART H initiative, ensuring the operation of health services during and in the aftermath of disasters. As part of this group of countries, three additional countries achieved this indicator during the biennium. Two countries have had delays in implementation of interventions after the assessment, but both are working to achieve the indicator.
Four baseline countries (BRA, DOM, GLP, MTQ) did not complete the assessment. These 4 countries were not counted towards the overall indicator assessment.
PASB Comments
The surveillance system for influenza and other respiratory viruses is highly robust. This system was strengthened during the COVID-19 pandemic and laid the foundation for the integration of COVID-19 surveillance in the region in 87% of countries. Within the countries that partially achieved the indicator, work continues to improve the frequency of epidemiological reporting.
One baseline country (BRA) did not complete the assessment. This country was not counted towards the overall indicator assessment.
PASB Comments
Major advances have been made in the region in line with the implementation of the Strategy and Plan of Action on Ethnicity and Health 2019-2025; however, challenges remain. PASB will intensify its efforts to ensure culturally adequate approaches are taken when addressing the health needs of the diverse ethnic groups in the region.
There was no consensus on the assessment results for 2 target countries (BRB, VEN). In addition, 1 baseline country (DOM) did not complete the assessment. These 3 countries were not counted towards the overall indicator assessment.
PASB Comments
PASB has provided technical support and promoted the right to health and other health-related rights, supporting legislative processes at national levels, including capacity building with relevant stakeholders on a variety of issues, including healthy nutrition (front-of-package nutrition labeling, trans fats and sodium, breast milk substitutes), mental health, violence (police and armed forces), LGBT+, persons with disabilities (review of a course for NGOs prepared in PAN), and elimination of diseases among persons deprived of liberty, as well as inter-programmatic work, mapping and analysis of legislation, regulations, and policies across the 33 Member States of the Region, including systematization and analysis of relevant judicial decisions, national/international human rights standards, and intellectual property discussions. Regarding lessons learned and challenges, data collection is generally a challenge, especially when it requires coordination with other authorities and branches of government (legislative and judiciary). Even if the human rights approach is sometimes politically present, inclusion of human rights norms/principles/standards in national legislation, policies, plans, programs, and mechanisms is not always reflected in operational and preventive terms. Therefore, capacities on health-related human rights perspectives and approaches should be strengthened systematically and continuously at the national level.
There was no consensus on the assessment results for 1 baseline country (ECU). In addition, 1 target country (BRA) did not complete the assessment. These 2 countries were not counted towards the overall indicator assessment.